The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
William (Bill) Little announced as Winters High School 2013 outstanding alumnus
09.26.2013 | Football
William (Bill) Little, who is entering his 47th year with The University of Texas Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, has been announced as one of the 2013 outstanding alumni of Winters High School. Along with alumnus Bill W. Wheat, Little will be honored during halftime at the homecoming football game on Friday, Sept. 27 in Winters, Texas. Recognized as one of the nation's leading figures in college athletics media relations, Little currently holds the title of Special Assistant to the Head Football Coach/Communications.
"Bill has shared in so many of the schools greatest successes and worked with many of our most prominent administrators, coaches and student-athletes spanning decades of history," said Mack Brown, Head Football Coach. "His love for the Longhorns and passion for his job is evident in the way he tells the stories of Texas Athletics. He has always been proudest of his West Texas roots so I can see why Winters High School would be naming him one of its outstanding alumni."
Little launched his journalism career while in high school, writing sports for the Winters Enterprise, the San Antonio Standard Times and the Abilene News. After graduating from Winters High School in 1960, Little entered The University of Texas at Austin, where he served as Sports Editor of the student newspaper, The Daily Texan and received a degree in journalism.
"The University of Texas opened doors for me that I could never have imagined," said Little. "I was too little to play football or basketball, and I was an average tennis and baseball player and a worse golfer, and I soon learned that my purpose would be to tell the story."
After graduating, Little returned to Texas Athletics in 1968 as assistant sports information director. He has been involved with UT media relations ever since. Little's association with Texas Football spans the career of five football coaches and six decades. He has accompanied Longhorn teams to 36 bowl games, broadcast more than 1,700 college baseball games and served as the voice of men's and women's basketball. Additionally, he provides a weekly segment on Longhorn history during Texas Football broadcasts, and does the public address announcing at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for Longhorn football games.
"Bill has given so much and is a big part of the Texas Athletics family," said DeLoss Dodds, Men's Athletics Director. "Over the years, Bill has captured much of the history of Texas Athletics. He loves this place and I appreciate his passion, support and friendship."
Little's contributions to Texas Athletics history include writing Matthew McConaughey's script for the documentary The Story of Darrell Royal, and authoring or co-authoring seven books about UT Athletics, including two with football coach Mack Brown. Through it all, Little has never forgotten his Winters, Texas roots.
"I'm excited about this opportunity to go back because I will be given a chance to speak to a high school assembly and then visit with the students in smaller settings," said Little. "Hopefully something that comes from that will be giving some young man or woman the faith that there are things they can achieve using the core values they've received from their small town upbringing."
